A Labour motion to the meeting of Stockport Council on Thursday 15th September asks Councillors to work with the NHS to provide the best possible care for patients, integrate health and social care services, and formally lodge concerns over a controversial financial improvement plan with the Secretary of State for Health.
Executive Councillor for Health Tom McGee, who will propose the motion, said ‘Patients have asked what impact financial problems at Stepping Hill will have on their care, and that is why it is important for Councillors to reiterate our commitment to working together with the health service to ensure residents receive the best possible, joined-up treatment.
‘Labour is demanding that the Government properly funds a publicly-run NHS which puts people before profit, consulting Councillors, patients and the wider public on plans which affect local services rather than consistently underfunding health and social care.
‘The Government needs to focus on increasing demands on our NHS and not on unnecessary and unwanted top-down health reforms, increasing privatisation, and further damaging cuts to Local Government.’
Stockport NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘Financial Improvement Plan’, which detailed millions of pounds of cuts to local services, proposes the moth-balling of a 22-bed surgical ward and voluntary redundancy for up to 410 staff.
It is aimed at addressing the fact that Stepping Hill Hospital loses £75 every minute.
Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care Wendy Wild said ‘Labour support the incredible staff working at Stepping Hill who are working harder and harder under extremely difficult circumstances. Our focus is on supporting them to ensure patients get the best possible care.
‘The Council is working extremely closely with Stepping Hill to integrate health and social care services which will mean that care is provided in the most appropriate setting across the borough.’
The Clinical Commissioning Group, Foundation Trust and Stockport Council have signed an agreement to pool around £200m of their local budgets in order to better integrate services in the Stockport Together Programme.